U.S. patent number 5,388,192 [Application Number 07/826,728] was granted by the patent office on 1995-02-07 for image layout processing method and apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Murayama, Naoki Nabeshima, Haruo Nakagawa, Ikuo Ohsawa.
United States Patent |
5,388,192 |
Ohsawa , et al. |
February 7, 1995 |
Image layout processing method and apparatus
Abstract
An image layout processing method for simulating on a display
screen an arrangement of a plurality of image objects to be
transferred to a prepress mechanical. An image memory plane is
divided into a ground area, a key object area, and a display work
area. A plurality of objects other than a key object fetched from
an external storage are written as priority data to the ground area
in an order of priority for superposition of the objects. Data of a
selected key object are written to the key object area. The data in
the ground area are unconditionally copied to the display work
area, while the data in the key object area are copied to a
designated position in the display work area with a condition based
on a designated priority. Respective pixel data successively read
from the display work area are converted by a lookup table into
color data to be displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT) whereby the
key object is presented as inserted between desired objects.
Inventors: |
Ohsawa; Ikuo (Kyoto,
JP), Nakagawa; Haruo (Kyoto, JP), Murayama;
Hiroshi (Kyoto, JP), Nabeshima; Naoki (Kyoto,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
(Kyoto, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
12346875 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/826,728 |
Filed: |
January 28, 1992 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 30, 1991 [JP] |
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3-32009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/634; 715/209;
715/243; 715/275 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G
5/393 (20130101); G06T 1/60 (20130101); G06T
11/60 (20130101); G06T 19/20 (20130101); G06T
2219/2004 (20130101); G06T 2219/2016 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06T
17/40 (20060101); G09G 5/393 (20060101); G09G
5/36 (20060101); G06F 015/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;395/146,135,131,158
;340/703,721 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
0396377 |
|
Nov 1990 |
|
EP |
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0431754 |
|
Jun 1991 |
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EP |
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2-213898 |
|
Aug 1990 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
Goldwasser, "A Generalized Segment Display Processor Architecture,"
1981 IEEE Computer Society Workshop on Computer Architecture for
Pattern Analysis and Image Database Management, U.S.A. (Nov. 11,
1981) pp. 301-308..
|
Primary Examiner: Herndon; Heather R.
Assistant Examiner: Smith; Mike
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lowe, Price, LeBlanc &
Becker
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image layout processing method for simulating on a display
screen an arrangement of a plurality of binary image objects to be
transferred to a prepress layout sheet, said method comprising:
a first step of converting data of the objects other than a key
object into priority data assigned to the objects and corresponding
to predetermined priorities, and successively writing said priority
data to designated positions in a ground area acting as storage
means in superposition in order of said priorities;
a second step of converting data of said key object to appropriate
key object data determined in relation to said priority data, and
writing the key object data to a key object area acting as a
further storage means;
a third step of unconditionally copying said priority data from
said ground area to a display work area acting as a still further
storage means;
a fourth step of comparing a priority assigned to said key object
with said priority data of the objects in said display work area
when copying said key object data from said key object area to a
designated position in said display work area, and copying said key
object data in said key object area corresponding to the pixels in
said display work area to positions of the pixels in said display
work area when the priority data of the pixels in said display work
area are substantially lower than the priority of said key object;
and
a fifth step of successively reading data of the pixels in said
display work area resulting from the fourth step, and converting
the data into predetermined color data for presentation on display
means.
2. An image layout processing method as defined in claim 1, wherein
said display work area is divided into two subareas for alternate
use in executing the third through fifth steps when an instruction
is given to change the priority of said key object.
3. An image layout processing method as defined in claim 1, wherein
said display work area is divided into two subareas for alternate
use in executing the third through fifth steps when an instruction
is given to move said key object.
4. An image layout processing apparatus for simulating on a display
screen an arrangement of a plurality of binary image objects to be
transferred to a prepress layout sheet, said apparatus
comprising:
external storage means for storing data of the plurality of binary
image objects;
object designating means for separately designating a key object
and other desired objects from the binary image objects stored in
said external storage means;
object position indicating means for indicating positions of
designated objects on the mechanical;
first data conversion means for converting data of the objects
designated by said object designating means and read from said
external storage means into priority data corresponding to
predetermined priorities for superposition;
ground data storage means for storing the priority data (ground
data) of the objects other than the key object obtained form said
first data conversion means and successively superposed in an order
of priority in the positions indicated by said object position
indicating means;
key object data storage means for storing the priority data (key
object data) of the key object obtained from said first data
conversion means;
priority assigning means for assigning a priority to said key
object;
display storage means for storing data read from said ground data
storage means and said key object data storage means;
write control means for copying the ground data intact
(unconditionally) from said ground data storage means to said
display storage means, and subsequently copying the key object data
from said key object data storage means to said display storage
means with a condition that, when a comparison between the priority
assigned to said key object and the priority data (ground data) of
the objects in said display memory means shows that the priority
data of the pixels in said display memory means are substantially
lower than the priority assigned to said key object, said key
object data in said key object data storage means are copied to
positions of the pixels in said display storage means;
second data conversion means for converting pixel data stored in
said display storage means into color data; and
display means for displaying the color data obtained from said
second data conversion means.
5. An image layout processing apparatus as defined in claim 4,
wherein said display storage means includes two display work areas
to be used alternately when an instruction is given to change the
priority of said key object.
6. An image layout processing apparatus as defined in claim 4,
wherein said display storage means includes two display work areas
to be used alternately when an instruction is given to move said
key object.
7. An image layout processing method for simulating on a display
screen an arrangement of a plurality of image objects including
continuous tone image objects to be transferred to a prepress
layout sheet, said method comprising:
a first step of superposing priority data fixed to binary image
objects other than a key object and corresponding to predetermined
priorities for superposition, and priority mask data of continuous
tone image objects other than the key object, successively in an
order of priority on designated positions in a binary ground area
acting as storage means;
a second step of superposing continuous tone data of continuous
tone image objects other than said key object in the order of
priority on designated positions in a continuous tone ground area
acting as a further storage means;
a third step of writing mask data of said key object in a binary
key object area acting as a still further storage means when said
key object is a continuous tone image object;
a fourth step of writing continuous tone data of said key object in
a continuous tone key object area acting as a still further storage
means, and setting the most significant bit (MSB) of the continuous
tone data in said continuous tone key object area corresponding to
pixels in said binary key object area having the mask data in ON
state, when said key object is a continuous tone image object;
a fifth step of reading the priority data and priority mask data
from said binary ground area (the two types of data being
hereinafter collectively called binary ground data), comparing the
binary ground data of respective pixels with the priority assigned
to said key object, and setting the most significant bit (MSB) to
pixels in the continuous tone ground area corresponding to said
pixels when the binary ground data are substantially higher than
the priority assigned to said key object;
a sixth step of unconditionally copying the data from said binary
ground area and said continuous tone ground area to a binary
display work area and a continuous tone display work area acting as
still further storage means, respectively;
a seventh step of copying the mask data from said binary key object
area to a designated position in said binary display work area such
that, when the binary ground data in said binary display work area
are substantially lower than the priority assigned to said key
object, the mask data in the binary key object area corresponding
to said pixels are copied to corresponding pixel positions in said
binary display work area;
an eighth step of copying the continuous tone key object data from
said continuous tone key object area to a designated position in
said continuous tone display work area such that the continuous
tone data of the pixels to which the most significant bit (MSB) of
the continuous tone key object data is set are copied only to
positions of pixels in the corresponding continuous tone display
work area to which the most significant bit (MSB) is not set;
and
a ninth step of synchronously reading data of said binary display
work area and said continuous tone display work area resulting from
the seventh and eighth steps such that, when the data read from
said binary display work area are the priority data of the binary
image objects, the priority data are converted into predetermined
color data for display on display means, and when the data read
from said binary display work area are the priority mask data of
the continuous tone image objects and the mask data of the key
object, continuous tone images are displayed on the display means
based on the continuous tone data read from said continuous tone
display work area.
8. An image layout processing method as defined in claim 7, wherein
a first and a second binary display work areas are used as said
binary display work area and a first and a second continuous tone
display work areas are used as said continuous tone display work
area, a group of the first binary/continuous tone display work
areas forming a pair and a group of the second binary/continuous
tone display work areas forming a different pair being used
alternately in executing the fifth through ninth steps when an
instruction is given to change the priority of said key object, and
the two groups of the binary/continuous tone display work areas
being used alternately in executing the sixth through ninth steps
when an instruction is given to move said key object.
9. An image layout processing apparatus for simulating on a display
screen an arrangement of a plurality of image objects including
continuous tone image objects to be transferred to a prepress
layout sheet, said apparatus comprising:
external storage means for storing data of the plurality of image
objects including binary image objects and continuous tone image
objects, the data of said continuous tone image objects including
mask data expressing regions of said continuous tone image objects
in binary values, and continuous tone data;
object designating means for separately designating a key object
and other desired objects from the objects stored in said external
storage means;
object position indicating means for indicating positions of
designated objects on the mechanical;
first data conversion means for converting the data of the binary
objects and the mask data of the continuous tone image objects
designated by said object designating means and read from said
external storage means into priority data corresponding to
predetermined priorities for superposition (priority data of the
mask data being hereinafter called priority mask data);
binary ground data storage means for storing the priority data and
priority mask data (hereinafter collectively called ground data) of
the objects other than the key object obtained from said first data
conversion means and successively superposed in an order of
priority in the positions indicated by said object position
indicating means;
continuous tone ground data storage means for storing the
continuous tone data of the objects other than the key object
designated by said object designating means and read from said
external storage means, said continuous tone ground data being
successively superposed in the order of priority in positions
corresponding to the priority mask data stored in said binary
ground data storage means;
continuous tone key object mask data storage means for storing,
when the key object designated by said object designating means is
a continuous tone image object, mask data of the continuous tone
key object obtained from said first data conversion means;
continuous tone key object data storage means for storing, when the
key object designated by said object designating means is a
continuous tone image object, continuous tone data of the
continuous tone key object read from said external storage means in
positions corresponding to the mask data stored in said continuous
tone key object mask data storage means, the most significant bit
(MSB) being set to the continuous tone data in said continuous tone
key object data storage means corresponding to pixels in said
continuous tone key object mask data storage means having the mask
data in ON state, the MSB being cleared for pixels corresponding to
pixels having the mask data in OFF state;
priority assigning means for assigning a priority to said key
object;
comparator means for comparing the ground data stored in said
binary ground data storage means and the priority assigned to said
key object by said priority assigning means, setting the MSB for
pixels in said continuous tone ground data storage means
corresponding to pixels of substantially higher priorities than
said key object, and clearing the MSB for pixels corresponding to
pixels of lower priorities;
binary display storage means for storing data read from said binary
ground data storage means and said continuous tone key object mask
data storage means;
continuous tone display storage means for storing data read from
said continuous tone ground data storage means and said continuous
tone key object data storage means;
first write control means for copying the binary ground data intact
(unconditionally) from said binary ground data storage means to
said binary display storage means, and subsequently copying the
mask data from said continuous tone key object mask data storage
means to said binary display storage means with a condition that,
for pixels having the mask data stored in said continuous tone key
object mask data storage means in ON state, the mask data are
copied only to corresponding pixel positions in said binary display
storage means having priority data substantially lower than the
priority of said key object;
second write control means for copying the continuous tone ground
data intact (unconditionally) from said continuous tone ground data
storage means to said continuous tone display storage means, and
subsequently copying the mask data from said continuous tone key
object data storage means to said continuous tone display storage
means with a condition that, for pixels to which the MSB of the
continuous tone data of the continuous tone key object is set, the
continuous tone data of the continuous tone key object are copied
only to corresponding pixels in said continuous tone display
storage means without the MSB set thereto;
second data conversion means for converting the priority data of
the binary image objects stored in said binary display storage
means into predetermined color data, and setting a transparent
signal to OFF state, the transparent signal being set to ON state
for the priority mask data of the continuous tone image objects and
the mask data of the continuous tone key object.;
third data conversion means for converting the continuous tone data
of the continuous tone image objects stored in said continuous tone
display storage means into predetermined color data;
data selecting means for selecting and outputting the color data of
the binary image objects outputted from said second data conversion
means when the transparent signal outputted from said second data
conversion means is in OFF state, and selecting and outputting the
color data of the continuous tone image objects outputted from said
third data conversion means when the transparent signal is in ON
state; and
display means for displaying the color data outputted from said
data selecting means.
10. An image layout processing apparatus as defined in claim 9,
wherein said binary display storage means includes a first and a
second binary display work areas, and said continuous tone display
storage means includes a first and a second continuous tone display
work areas, a group of the first binary/continuous tone display
work areas and a group of the second binary/continuous tone display
work areas being used alternately when an instruction is given to
change the priority of said key object or to move said key object.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image layout processing method
for simulating on a CRT screen an arrangement of graphics,
pictures, characters and the like (hereinafter referred to as
objects) to be transferred to a prepress mechanical, and more
particularly to a method of and apparatus for moving a key object
as inserted between other objects displayed on the CRT screen.
(2) Description of the Related Art
The manner of moving a key object between other objects on a screen
according to a conventional image layout processing method of this
type will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
In FIG. 1, numeral 1 denotes an image memory plane on which a
background object A is recorded (hereinafter referred to as a
background memory plane). Numeral 2 denotes an image memory plane
on which a key object B is recorded (hereinafter referred to as a
key object memory plane). Numeral 3 denotes an image memory plane
on which a foreground object C is recorded (hereinafter referred to
as a foreground memory plane). Priorities are predetermined for the
memory planes 1-3 based on overlapping conditions of the objects
A-C. In this example, priorities are set in the descending order
from memory plane 3 to memory plane 1.
The memory planes 1-3 are read in synchronized raster scans
successively from respective leading addresses S1-S3. Pixel data
read from the memory planes 1-3 are applied to a multiplexer 4 in a
next stage. When the pixel data read from the memory planes 1-3 are
all "ON", the multiplexer 4 selects and outputs the pixel data from
the memory plane of the highest priority. If the pixel data from
the memory plane of higher priority are "OFF", the multiplexer 4
outputs the pixel data from the memory plane of the next
priority.
By fetching the pixel data from the memory planes 1-3 through the
multiplexer 4 in this way, the objects A-C are presented
overlapping one another on a display screen 5. As shown in FIG. 1,
the leading address S2 for the raster scan of the key object memory
plane 2 may be shifted to S2' while fixing the leading addresses S1
and S3 in the background memory plane 1 and foreground memory plane
3. This step allows the key object B to be moved between the
background object A and foreground object C.
However, the conventional method described above has the following
disadvantages.
The conventional method requires a plurality of image memory planes
corresponding to the number of objects in order to display the
objects overlapping one another on a CRT screen. Since these image
memory planes must be raster-scanned independently of one another,
an image processing apparatus implementing this method inevitably
has a complicated construction. Complication and high cost of the
apparatus may also be ascribed to the complexity of the multiplexer
which selects the pixel data received from the respective memory
planes according to the priorities.
Further, when an attempt is made in the prior method to display the
key object B of FIG. 1 in front of the foreground object C, image
data must be rewritten for exchange between the key object memory
plane 2 and foreground memory plane 3, or the image data of the key
object B must be written to an additional memory plane of higher
priority than the foreground memory plane 3. This is an irksome
operation in either case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made having regard to the state of
the art noted above, and intends to provide an image layout
processing method and apparatus for moving a key object as inserted
between other objects on a display screen, which requires use of
few image memory planes, and for facilitating changes of object
overlaps.
In one aspect of the invention, as defined in claim 1, an image
layout processing method is provided for simulating on a display
screen an arrangement of a plurality of binary image objects to be
transferred to a prepress mechanical, the method comprising:
a first step of converting data of the objects other than a key
object into priority data fixed thereto and corresponding to
predetermined priorities for superposition, and successively
writing the priority data to designated positions in a ground area
acting as storage means;
a second step of converting data of the key object to appropriate
key object data determined in relation to the priority data, and
writing the key object data to a key object area acting as a
further storage means;
a third step of unconditionally copying the priority data from the
ground area to a display work area acting as a still further
storage means;
a fourth step of comparing a priority assigned to the key object
with the priority data of pixels in the display work area in
copying the key object data from the key object area to a
designated position in the display work area, and copying the key
object data of pixels in the key object area corresponding to the
pixels in the display work area to positions of the pixels in the
display work area when the priority data of the pixels in the
display work area are substantially lower than the priority of the
key object; and
a fifth step of successively reading data of the pixels in the
display work area resulting from the fourth step, and converting
the data into predetermined color data for presentation on display
means.
Preferably, in the above image layout processing method, the
display work area is divided into two subareas for alternate use in
executing the third through fifth steps when an instruction is
given to change the priority of the key object or to move the key
object.
According to the present invention, comparison is made between the
priority data of the objects unconditionally copied to the display
work area and the priority of the key object designated by the
operator. If the priority data of pixels in the display work area
are lower than the priority of the key object, key object data of
corresponding pixels in the key object area are copied to positions
of those pixels in the display work area. The priority data higher
than the priority of the key object remain as they are in the
display work area. Thus, the operator may cause the key object to
be displayed between desired objects by assigning a selected
priority to the key object. Since the key object is copied to a
designated position on the display work area, the operator may
place the key object in any position between desired objects by
varying the designated position.
According to the present invention, therefore, an increase in the
number of objects to be arranged on the mechanical may be
accommodated by increasing the number of priority data. It is
unnecessary to provide additional image memory planes as in the
prior art, thereby realizing a simplified apparatus.
A change in the order of overlapping of the key object may be dealt
with by conditionally copying the key object to the display work
area after varying the priority of the key object data. This
dispenses with the irksome rewriting of the memory as in the prior
art, to simplify and expedite the processing accordingly.
Where two display work areas are used, the data may be copied
alternately to the two display work areas with or without
conditions when an instruction is given to change the priority of
the key object or to move the key object. Consequently, contents
the display work area undergoing a data rewriting process are not
shown on the display. This enables a high quality image
presentation free from flickering on a display screen due to
rewriting to the display work area.
In a further aspect of the present invention, as defined in claim
5, an image layout processing method is provided for simulating on
a display screen an arrangement of a plurality of image objects
including continuous tone image objects to be transferred to a
prepress mechanical, the method comprising:
a first step of superposing priority data fixed to binary image
objects other than a key object and corresponding to predetermined
priorities for super position, and priority mask data of continuous
tone image objects other than the key object, successively in an
order of priority on designated positions in a binary ground area
acting as storage means;
a second step of superposing continuous tone data of continuous
tone image objects other than the key object in the order of
priority on designated positions in a continuous tone ground area
acting as a further storage means;
a third step of writing mask data of the key object in a binary key
object area acting as a still further storage means when the key
object is a continuous tone image object;
a fourth step of writing continuous tone data of the key object in
a continuous tone key object area acting as a still further storage
means, and setting the most significant bit (MSB) of the continuous
tone data for pixels in the continuous tone key object area
corresponding to pixels in the binary key object area having the
mask data in ON state, when the key object is a continuous tone
image object;
a fifth step of reading the priority data and priority mask data
from the binary ground area (the two types of data being
hereinafter collectively called binary ground data), comparing the
binary ground data of respective pixels with the priority assigned
to the key object, and setting the most significant bit (MSB) to
pixels in the continuous tone ground area corresponding to the
pixels when the binary ground data are substantially higher than
the priority assigned to the key object;
a sixth step of unconditionally copying the data from the binary
ground area and the continuous tone ground area to a binary display
work area and a continuous tone display work area acting as still
further storage means, respectively;
a seventh step of copying the mask data from the binary key object
area to a designated position in the binary display work area such
that, when the binary ground data of pixels in the binary display
work area are substantially lower than the priority assigned to the
key object, the mask data of the pixels in the binary key object
area corresponding to the pixels are copied to corresponding pixel
positions in the binary display work area;
an eighth step of copying the continuous tone key object data from
the continuous tone key object area to a designated position in the
continuous tone display work area such that the continuous tone
data of the pixels to which the most significant bit (MSB) of the
continuous tone key object data is set are copied only to positions
of pixels in the corresponding continuous tone display work area to
which the most significant bit (MSB) is not set; and
a ninth step of synchronously reading data of the binary display
work area and the continuous tone display work area resulting from
the seventh and eighth steps such that-, when the data read from
the binary display work area are the priority data of the binary
image objects, the priority data are converted into predetermined
color data for display on display means, and when the data read
from the binary display work area are the priority mask data of the
continuous tone image objects and the mask data of the key object,
continuous tone images are displayed on the display means based on
the continuous tone data read from the continuous tone display work
area.
Preferably, each of the binary display work area and the continuous
tone display work area is divided into two subareas for alternate
use in executing the fifth through ninth steps when an instruction
is given to change the priority of the key object. When an
instruction is given to move the key object, the sixth through
ninth steps are executed by using the two subareas of each display
work area.
According to this method, the binary display work area is used for
writing priority data fixed to binary image objects other than the
key object, priority mask data of continuous tone image objects
other than the key object, and mask data of the continuous tone key
object, as superposed with conditions based on a designated order
of priority. The continuous tone display work area is used for
writing continuous tone data of the continuous tone image objects
other than the key object, and continuous tone data of the key
object, as superposed with conditions based on the order of
priority. When synchronously reading pixels in the binary and
continuous tone display work areas, the priority data fixed to the
binary image objects are converted into their own color data for
output. On the other hand, when the priority mask data or mask data
are read from the binary display work area, the continuous tone
data read from the continuous tone display work area are outputted.
Consequently, the designated continuous tone key object is
presented on the display as inserted between desired objects. The
continuous tone key object may be moved to a desired position for
display by designating its copying position when copying the data
from the binary/continuous tone key object areas to the
binary/continuous tone display work areas, respectively.
According to the present invention, therefore, the continuous tone
key object may be displayed as inserted and moved between other
objects by a relatively simple system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in
the drawings several forms which are presently preferred, it being
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a conventional
apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image layout
processing apparatus in a first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an image memory plane;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a lookup table;
FIG. 5 is a partial flowchart of a processing sequence in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 6 is another partial flowchart of the processing sequence in
the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a further partial flowchart of the processing sequence in
the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of ground data written to a ground
area;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of key object data written to a key
object area;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of data copied to a display work area
"1";
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a way in which a key object is
moved by an offset change;
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing another example in which the
key object is moved by an offset change;
FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a way in which overlapping of
the key object is changed with a variation of priority;
FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a different way in which
overlapping of the key object is changed with a variation of
priority;
FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing updated contents of the lookup
table;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image layout
processing apparatus in a second embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a lookup table of binary
data;
FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a lookup table of continuous
tone data;
FIG. 19 is a partial flowchart of a processing sequence in the
second embodiment;
FIG. 20 is another partial flowchart of the processing sequence in
the second embodiment;
FIG. 21 is a further partial flowchart of the processing sequence
in the second embodiment;
FIG. 22 is a schematic view of ground data written to a binary
ground area;
FIG. 23 is a schematic view of continuous tone data written to a
continuous tone ground area;
FIG. 24 is a schematic view of mask data written to a binary key
object area;
FIG. 25 is a schematic view of continuous tone data written to a
continuous tone key object area;
FIG. 26 is a schematic view showing regions in the continuous tone
ground area where the MSB is set;
FIG. 27 is a schematic view of data written to a binary display
work area "1";
FIG. 28 is a schematic view of data written to a continuous tone
display work area "1"; and
FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a display made on a CRT screen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in
detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
This embodiment is an image layout processing method which handles
binary images such as graphics and characters as objects. FIG. 2 is
a block diagram showing an outline of an image layout processing
apparatus for implementing the processing method in this
embodiment.
In FIG. 2, a coordinate input device 11 is used for instructing
selection or movement of objects and designating various operating
menus presented on the screen of a CRT 17. This input device 11 may
be a digitizer, mouse or track ball.
A priority setter 12 comprises a keyboard, dial or the like used
for assigning a priority to a key object. As an alternative to this
priority device, icons or the like may be displayed on the screen
of CRT 17 for a priority to be assigned to a key object through the
coordinate input device 11.
An external storage 13 stores data of a plurality of binary image
objects such graphics, characters and the like to be arranged on a
mechanical or ground screen displayed on the CRT 17. The external
storage 13 may be a magnetic disk, magnetic tape or magneto-optical
disk, for example. A mechanical manufacturing apparatus or the like
may be connected through a network for use instead of or in
combination with the external storage 13. The data of various
objects are in the form of runlength, bitmap or outline vector
data, which are converted by a CPU 14 into ON/OFF binary images. At
a time of this conversion, the operator may select magnification
ratios of the objects on the CRT screen through a keyboard or
through a menu manipulation on the screen.
Besides the conversion of the graphic and character data into
binary images, the CPU 14 carries out various operations for
converting the "ON" and "OFF" of the binary image data into n-bit
data (hereinafter referred to as priority data) according to
predetermined priorities for displaying the respective objects,
writing these priority data to designated pixel positions in an
image memory plane 15 described later, whereupon the priority data
form image data (hereinafter referred to as priority image data),
and moving the key object between other objects based on the
priority image data. These operations of the CPU 14 will be
described in detail later.
The image memory plane 15 is a two-dimensional image memory having
an n-bit depth. The CPU 14 makes raster scans of selected regions
in the image memory plane 15 through a bus 18, to write or read the
priority image data to/from these regions.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image memory plane 15 is divided into four
areas, which are a ground area, a key object area, a display work
area "1" and a display work area "2". The ground area is an area
for superposing the priority image data of all the objects except
the key object to be arranged on a mechanical. The key object area
is an area for writing appropriate key object data determined in
relation to the priority image data. The display work areas "1" and
"2" are areas for combining a plurality of object data for display
on the CRT 17, by copying with certain conditions the priority
image data and key object data from the ground area and key object
area. The ground area and key object area do not serve directly to
the purpose of displaying the images on the CRT 17. It is therefore
not essential for the image memory plane 15 to include these areas,
but a memory such as a CPU memory not contributing to the screen
display may be used instead.
A lookup table 16 is a memory for enabling a color display of the
objects which are binary images. The lookup table 16 stores output
values of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) corresponding to values
of the n-bit priority data and key object data of the pixels
successively read through a raster scan of the image memory plane
15 and applied to the lookup table 16 as input addresses. Color
data including R, G and B values are outputted from the lookup
table 16 to the color CRT 17.
FIG. 4 shows an example of lookup table 16 which outputs 1-bit
color data of each of R, G and B in response to 3-bit input data
("0" to "7" serving also as call addresses). Where over eight
objects are to be displayed in overlaps, the number of bits for the
input data, i.e. the priority data and key object data, or the
depth of the image memory plane 15, may be increased to 4 or more
bits, with each of the R, G and B values outputted in data of 2 or
more bits to provide an increased number of colors for display.
A simulation manager table 19 controlled by the CPU 14 is used for
handling the objects put to the layout simulation by this
apparatus, and storing results of the simulation. Specifically, the
simulation manager table 19 holds the following items:
(1) Priorities: These represent a superposing order (priority data)
of the objects arranged on the mechanical, which is subject to
variations resulting from superposing order change simulations
carried out by this apparatus.
(2) Object Names: These are file names given to the objects stored
in the external storage 13.
(3) Offsets: These are differences between the objects and an
original point (reference point) set to a selected corner of the
mechanical, which are subject to variations resulting from
arrangement change simulations carried out by this apparatus.
(4) Sizes: These are vertical and transverse dimensions of the
objects, which are used in determining regions for conditional
copying to be described later.
(5) Attributes: These indicate whether the objects are in binary
data or continuous tone data.
(6) Applications: These indicate general features of the objects,
e.g. mechanical, tint, characters, gradation, pictures, logos,
etc.
(7) Colors: These are colors in binary data for display, which are
set to the lookup table 16.
Operations of the above layout processing apparatus will be
described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIGS. 5 through
7.
First, all data in the image memory plane 15 are cleared, and
relations between the input data and R, G, B output values of the
lookup table 16 are initialized with reference to the simulation
manager table 19 (steps S1 and S2).
Next, the priority data of objects except the key object are
written to the ground area of the image memory plane 15 (step S3).
The priority data of objects written to the ground area are
hereinafter referred to as "ground data". Particulars of step S3
are as follows. First, the operator selects an object to be placed
on the mechanical from the objects stored in the external storage
13, by manipulating menus on the CRT screen through the coordinate
input device 11. The object data read from the external storage 13
are converted into binary image data, and then into priority image
data reflecting predetermined priorities by the CPU 14. In this
embodiment, the priority data are set so that the objects have
progressively higher priorities as they are designated.
When a next object is designated, the priority data of this object
are written to the ground area of the image memory plane 15. With
regard to the region where the object designated first and the one
designated next overlap one another, the priority data of the
second object are written over those of the first object since the
second object has a higher priority than the first object.
Thereafter the objects other than the key object are similarly
designated one after another, with the priority data written to the
ground area in the order of designation. FIG. 8 shows an example of
ground data written to the ground area. Although the respective
objects are shown in rectangular form in FIG. 8, naturally the
characters, logos and pictures in the objects have their own
shapes. Numerals 1 to 6 affixed to the objects A--F denotes the
n-bit priority data written into the respective image regions in
accordance with the priorities of the objects. Numeral 0 denotes
the priority data of a ground color.
After the ground data are written to the ground area of the image
memory plane 15 as above, the operator selects a desired object as
a key object from the objects stored in the external storage 13, by
manipulating the menus on the CRT screen through the coordinate
input device 11 (step S4).
The key object data are likewise converted into a binary image data
and then into a priority image data by the CPU 14. In this
embodiment, the key object data are set to "2.sup.n -1" since the
priority data of the other objects are in n-bit and expressed in
"0" to "2.sup.n -2". The priority data of the key object are set to
"2.sup.n -1" in order to use the last address in the lookup table
16 for coloring the key object. This eliminates the necessity to
update the contents of the lookup table 16 already used for
coloring the other objects. Consequently, the key object data are
of a provisional nature and set at this stage for expediency rather
than indicating a priority in object superposition as distinct from
the priority data of the other objects. The priority of the key
object are determined by an operation described later.
The key object data are written to the key object area of the image
memory plane 15 (step S5). FIG. 9 schematically shows the data of
key object G written to the key object area. The hatched portion of
FIG. 9 represents a binary image region where the key object data
are set to "2.sup.n -1". The surrounding "0" region may be called a
base or background region of the key object, for example, which is
of the lowest priority and imparts no influence on images of the
other objects as will be apparent from processing described
later.
Next, the operator operates the priority setter 12 to initialize
priority P of the key object and to initialize offset OF of the key
object from an original point on the mechanical (step S6). By
setting the offset OF to an appropriate value, the key object may
be moved to a desired initial position on the mechanical. As will
be apparent from the description made hereinafter, setting priority
P of the key object means insertion of the key object between an
object having priority P+1 and an object having priority P set
earlier.
When the priority and offset of the key object have been
initialized, the CPU 14 copies the ground data intact
(unconditionally) from the ground area to the display work area "1"
of the image memory plane 15 (step S7).
Next, the CPU 14 copies the key object data from the key object
area of the image memory plane 15 to a position of offset OF in the
display work area "1" (step S8). This copying is carried out with
the condition that, for pixels having key object data other than
"0" (i.e. having key object data "2.sup.n -1"), the key object data
"2.sup.n -1" are copied to corresponding pixel positions in the
display work area "1" only if the priority data of these pixels are
P or less.
As a result of this copying operation, the key object data are
written into an object region in the display work area "1" where
the priority data are P or less. The ground data remain as they are
in regions where the priority data are P+1 or more. This means that
the key object data are inserted between priority data P+1 and
priority data P. FIG. 10 schematically shows the data combined in
the display work area "1". In this example, the priority P of the
key object G is set to "3", and therefore the key object G is
inserted between object C having priority data "3" and object D
having priority data "4". The key object G has an offset OF1 in
this case.
Next, with a raster scan starting address set to the display work
area "1", the CPU 14 successively reads the priority data of the
pixels in the display work area "1". The priority data read are
converted by the lookup table 16 into their own R, G, B values for
display on the CRT 17 (step S9). Take the lookup table 16 of FIG. 4
for example, the ground is painted white, object A red, object B
green, object C blue, object D yellow, object E magenta, object F
cyan, and key object G black.
When the operator instructs movement of the key object G through
the coordinate input device 11 (step S10), the CPU 14 changes
offset OF1 of the key object data (step S11). Then, the CPU 14
copies the ground data intact (unconditionally) from the ground
area of the image memory plane 15 to the display work area "2"
(step S12). Next, the CPU 14 copies the key object data with the
same condition noted hereinbefore from the key object area to a
position of new offset OF2 in the display work area "2" (step S13).
After the conditional copying of the key object data, the contents
of the display work area "2" are displayed on the CRT 17 as
described hereinbefore (step S14).
If a further instruction is given to move the key object G (step
S15), the CPU 14 changes offset OF2 of the key object data (step
S16). Thereafter the operation returns to step S7 for
unconditionally copying the ground data to the display work area
"1", which is followed by step S8 for conditionally copying the key
object data to the display work area "1", and step S9 for
displaying the display work area "1" on the CRT 17.
By changing the offset as above, the key object G may be displayed
and moved between selected objects. FIGS. 10 through 12 show
movement of the key object G resulting from the changes of the
offset (from OF1 to OF3).
The movement of the key object between other objects is displayed
by alternately using the display work areas "1" and "2" for the
following reason. Where the movement of the key object between
other objects is displayed by using a single display work area, the
images displayed on the CRT screen flicker during data rewriting to
the display work area. The alternating use of the display work
areas "1" and "2" has the advantage of avoiding the flickering on
the screen since the contents of the display work area in a
rewriting process are not displayed.
An instruction may be given to change the priority of the key
object when the contents of the display work area "1" are displayed
on the CRT 17 (step S17). Then, the CPU 14 changes the priority P
of the key object data (step S18). Next, the CPU 14 unconditionally
copies the ground data to the display work area "2" (step S12), and
copies the key object data, with the condition based on the new
priority, to the display work area "2" (step S13). The contents of
the display work area "2" are displayed on the CRT 17 (step S14).
When, for example, the priority P of the key object data is raised
from "3" to "4", the key object G moves between object D and object
E. When the priority P of the key object data is lowered from "3"
to "2", the key object G moves between object B and object C. It
should be noted, however, that FIGS. 13 and 14 show the key object
G with different offsets for convenience of illustration.
Similarly, an instruction may be given to change the priority of
the key object when the contents of the display work area "2" are
displayed on the CRT 17 (step S19). Then, the CPU 14 changes the
priority P of the key object data (step S20), and returns to step
S7 for rewriting the contents of the display work area "1".
When the key object has moved to a desired position, the operator
manipulates the coordinate input device 11 to input an instruction
to rewrite and fix the data in the display work area as ground data
(hereinafter referred to as a FIX instruction) (steps S21 and S22).
As a result, the ground data are revised as follows (step S23).
Assume, for example, that a FIX instruction is given in the state
shown in FIG. 10. Although, in this case, the designated priority P
of the key object G is "3", the key object data are set to "7"
(2.sup.n -1) for expediency. In order to move and display a
different key object as inserted between other objects, it is
necessary to rewrite the previous key object data and the priority
data of the objects of higher priorities than the previous key
object in accordance with the order of image superposition. There
are three data rewriting methods as follows:
(1) In the first method, the CPU 14 scans and reads the contents of
the display work area "1" or "2" displayed when the FIX instruction
is given, rewrites the key object data (2.sup.n -1) to P+1 (which
is "4" in this example), and adds "1" to the priority image data of
the objects (which are objects D, E and F) of higher priorities
than the key object G. That is, the priority image data of object D
are rewritten from "4" to "5", those of object E from "5" to "6",
and those of object F from "6" to "7". The data thus rewritten are
superposed in the ground area.
(2) In the second method, the priority image data in the key object
area are rewritten from "7" to "4", and the priority image data "4"
or more of the objects in the ground area are incremented by "1".
The changed ground data are unconditionally copied, and the changed
key object data conditionally copied, to the display work area.
That is, the priority image data "5" and above are retained as they
are in the display work area, and the priority image data "3" and
less are overwritten by the key object data "4". The data of the
display work area thus obtained are superposed again in the ground
area.
(3) As the third method, the operation shown in FIG. 5 may be
carried out all over again after changing the priorities of the
objects in the simulation manager table 19 on the results of
simulation.
After revision of the ground data, the lookup table 16 is updated
in accordance of the above-noted changes of the priority image data
of the objects (step S24). That is, the R, G, B values of the key
object are inserted in the position of address P+1 in the lookup
table 16, and the previous contents at address p+1 and subsequent
addresses are each moved one address back. In the example shown in
FIG. 10, since the designated priority P of the key object is "3",
the R G, B values of the key object, i.e. [0, 0, 0] (black), are
entered at the address "4" in the lookup table 16, and the previous
addresses "4" to "6" are moved one stage down (or back). FIG. 15
schematically shows the lookup table 16 as updated.
When all the objects have been arranged, the operator ends the
series of layout processing by manipulating the menus on the screen
through the coordinate input device 11 (step S25). On the other
hand, when different objects are fetched from the external storage
13 for arrangement, the operation returns to step S4 to repeat the
same processing. When a key object is selected from the objects
already recorded in the ground area, the priority image data of the
objects are updated to be continuous, with the key object data
excluded from the ground data. The key object data are written to
the key object area, and processing similar to the described
processing is carried out, whereby this key object may be moved and
displayed between other objects with designated conditions.
The priorities and offsets of the objects laid out on the CRT
screen as above are written to the simulation manager table 19 and
transferred to a layout scanner along with the files of the
respective objects stored in the external storage 13. The layout
scanner carries out actual operations on the object data based on
the simulation manager table 19, and subsequently outputs the data
to a film or other medium.
In the foregoing embodiment, an ordinary microprocessor may be used
as the CPU 14 to map the addresses of the image memory plane 15 in
an address space of the CPU itself, or a DMA controller may be used
to carry out the copying operations. Further, the described layout
apparatus may employ a graphic controller having a function for
conditionally copying the various image data, thereby achieving
simplified hardware and a high-speed display of movement. The
series of processes including unconditional and conditional copying
in the image memory plane 15 and rewriting of the priority image
data is carried out at high speed, which enables the key object to
be moved and displayed between other objects in real time in
response to operations of the coordinate input device 11 and
priority setter 12.
In the above embodiment, all the ground data in the ground area are
copied to the other display work area (which is making no
contribution to display) when an instruction is given to move the
key object or change its priority. Where the key object is
relatively small, the ground data may be copied and reinstated only
for the region of the display work area where conditional copying
was made previously. This process will provide a faster processing
speed than copying of all the ground data.
Second Embodiment
This embodiment is a layout processing method which handles a
plurality of objects to be laid out, including black and white
continuous tone images besides binary images such as graphics and
characters. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an outline of a
layout processing apparatus for implementing the processing method
in this embodiment. In FIG. 16, like reference numerals are used to
identify like parts in the first embodiment, which will not be
described again.
The external storage 13 used in this embodiment stores binary image
objects such graphics, characters and the like as in the first
embodiment, and continuous tone image objects such as pictures.
Data of the continuous tone image objects include binary data
representing regions of the continuous tone image objects (mask
data) and continuous tone data. The continuous tone data of the
continuous tone image objects are digital image data inputted
through a scanner or a CCD camera, or multitone data generated from
a computer or the like. In this embodiment, the continuous tone
data are expressed in m-1 bits (m: positive integers).
The layout processing apparatus in this embodiment includes an
image memory plane 15A for the binary images, and an image memory
plane 15B for the continuous tone images. The binary images may be
expressed in priority image data as described in the first
embodiment, but the continuous tone images cannot because they have
continuous tone pixels. Thus, the image memory plane 15A for the
binary images is used for storing, besides the priority image data
of the binary images, the priority mask data for indicating only
the regions of the continuous tone images along with their
priorities. The image memory plane 15B is used for storing the
continuous tone data which will replace the priority mask data. The
image memory plane 15B has an m-bit depth for the m-1 bit
continuous tone data. As will be described later, the most
significant bit (MSB) of the image memory plane 15B provides
condition data for use in copying continuous tone key object data
from a key object area to a display work area. To speak in terms of
picture image, this corresponds to a mask showing a copying
region.
Each of the image memory planes 15A and 15B includes a ground area,
a key object area, a display work area "1" and a display work area
"2" as described with reference to FIG. 3. The respective areas of
the image memory plane 15A for the binary images are hereinafter
referred to as a binary ground area, a binary key object area, and
binary display work areas "1" and "2", and those of the image
memory plane 15B for the continuous tone images as a continuous
tone ground area, a continuous tone key object area, and continuous
tone display work areas "1" and "2".
The image memory planes 15A and 15B are synchronously
raster-scanned. The priority image data of the binary image objects
and the priority mask data of the continuous tone image objects
read from the image memory plane 15A are applied to a lookup table
16A. The continuous tone data of the continuous tone image objects
read from the image memory plane 15B are applied to a continuous
tone data lookup table 16B.
As shown in FIG. 17, the binary data lookup table 16A outputs R, G,
B values and transparent signals corresponding to the priority data
received. This lookup table 16A is operable by ON/Off switching of
a transparent bit so that the transparent signals are not outputted
upon receipt of the priority data of the binary image objects, and
are outputted upon receipt of the priority mask data of the
continuous tone images. Functions of the transparent signal will be
described later.
As shown in FIG. 18, the continuous tone data lookup table 16B
outputs R, G, B values corresponding to input data (continuous tone
data) applied thereto as addresses. The R, G, B values at the
respective addresses are the same since, in this embodiment, the
continuous tone images are displayed in black and white tones. The
upper half (addresses "0" to "2.sup.m-1 -1") and lower half
(addresses "2.sup.m-1 " to "2.sup.m-1 ") of the lookup table 16B
have identical R, G, B values for output. This is because image
data of the same tones must be outputted whether the MSB of the
continuous tone data outputted from the continuous tone image
memory plane 15B is "0" or "1" provided that the lower bits are the
same.
The R, G, B values outputted from the lookup tables 16A and 16B are
applied to a multiplexer 20. The multiplexer 20 outputs the R, G, B
values received from the lookup table 16A to the CRT 17 when the
transparent signal is off, and outputs those received from the
lookup table 16B when the transparent signal is on.
The layout processing apparatus shown in FIG. 16 has a construction
for handling objects including black and white continuous tone
images. Where color continuous tone images are included in the
objects, a continuous tone image memory plane may be provided for
each color component R, G or B, with R, G, B output values from the
memory planes directly applied to R, G, B inputs on a continuous
tone data side of the multiplexer 20.
The term "binary" is used as necessary in describing this
embodiment to mean "having two values corresponding to inside and
outside of an image region". For example, the mask data of the
continuous tone key object written to the binary key object area of
the binary image memory plane 15A have "0" and "2.sup.n -1" as
described later.
Operations of the layout processing apparatus in the second
embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown
in FIGS. 19 through 21.
First, all data in the image memory planes 15A and 15B are cleared,
and the R, G, B values of the lookup tables 16A and 16B are
initialized with reference to the simulation manager table 19
(steps N1 and N2). If the objects are binary image objects at this
time, the transparent bit at the corresponding addresses in the
lookup table 16A is set to OFF [0]. If the objects are continuous
tone image objects, the transparent bit is set to ON [1].
Next, the CPU 14 successively reads objects data such as of
characters, graphics, picture masks and the like except those of a
key object from the external storage 13. After all these data are
converted into binary images, priority data are established in the
order designated by the operator as in the first embodiment, and
written to the ground area (hereinafter referred to as a binary
ground area) of the image memory plane 15A (step N3). FIG. 22 shows
an example of ground data written to the binary ground area. In
FIG. 22, references A, B, D and F denote regions of the priority
data of the binary image objects. References C and E denote regions
of the priority mask data of the continuous tone image objects. The
priority data of the binary image objects and the priority mask
data of the continuous tone images are herein collectively called
"binary ground data".
Next, the continuous tone data of the continuous tone image objects
are read from the external storage 13, and written to positions
corresponding to the priority mask data of the continuous tone
image objects in the continuous tone ground area of the continuous
tone image memory plane 15B (step N4). These continuous tone data
may be written by one of the following two methods, for
example:
(1) ON/OFF of each pixel of the priority mask data is determined,
and the continuous tone data of picture pixels corresponding to ON
pixels are successively written to corresponding positions in the
continuous tone ground area.
(2) The MSB is set to the data of ON pixels among the priority mask
data, and these data are written to corresponding positions in the
continuous tone ground area. Then, these data are replaced by the
corresponding continuous tone data with respect only to the pixels
in the continuous tone ground area to which the MSB is set. Since
the MSB is not set to the original continuous tone data, the MSB is
cleared from all the ground data in the continuous tone ground area
after the replacement by the continuous tone data.
FIG. 23, schematically shows the continuous tone data of continuous
tone image objects C and E written to the continuous tone ground
area. As seen, the continuous tone image object E of higher
priority is superposed on the continuous tone image object C of
lower priority.
Next, the operator fetches a key object from the external storage
13 by manipulating the menus on the screen through the coordinate
input device 11 (step N5). If the key object fetched is in binary
data, only the binary image memory plane 15A may be operated to
move and display the key object between other objects and to
determine its priority as in the first embodiment. This operation
will not be described.
If the key object is in continuous tone data, the key object is
moved and displayed between other objects as follows. A continuous
tone image selected as the key object (hereinafter referred to as a
continuous tone key object) may be one already written to the
ground areas. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the
respective key object data must be removed from the binary and
continuous tone ground areas to rewrite the ground data.
As shown in FIG. 24, the mask data of the continuous tone key
object fetched from the external storage 13 are converted into
"2.sup.n -1", and written to the binary key object area of the
binary image memory plane 15A (step N6). Then, the transparent bit
at address "2.sup.n -1" in the binary data lookup table 16A is set
to ON [1] (step N7). In the lookup table 16A shown in FIG. 17, the
transparent bit at address "7" is set to [1].
Next, the continuous tone data of the key object is fetched from
the external storage 13, and written to the continuous tone key
object area of the continuous tone image memory plane 15B (step
N8). The continuous tone key object data are written in the same
manner as the ground data. At this time, as shown in FIG. 25, the
MSB is set to the continuous tone data for the pixels in the
continuous tone key object area corresponding to the pixels in the
binary key object area where the mask data are ON, and is cleared
for the pixels corresponding to the pixels where the mask data are
OFF. This is because, as described later, the MSB in the continuous
tone key object data is used as a mask when conditionally copying
the continuous tone key object data from the continuous tone key
object area to the continuous tone ground area of the same memory
plane.
Next, the operator operates the priority setter 12 to initialize
priority P of the continuous tone key object data, and operates the
coordinate input device 11 to initialize offset OF of the
continuous tone key object data from the mechanical (step N9). In
the subsequent processing, the continuous tone key object enters
between the object having priority P and the object having priority
P+1, and moves with variations in the offset OF.
The CPU 14 reads the ground data from the binary ground area, and
compares levels of the priority data or priority mask data of the
respective pixels with "P+1". For the pixels higher than "P+1", the
MSB is set to the corresponding pixels in the continuous tone
ground area and, for the other pixels, the MSB is cleared (step
N10). Assuming that the priority of the continuous tone key object
is set to "3" at step N9, the MSB is set to the object regions D, E
and F in the continuous tone ground area having priorities "4", "5"
and "6" as shown in FIG. 26.
Next, the CPU 14 copies the ground data unconditionally from the
ground areas of the image memory planes 15A and 15B to the
respective display work areas "1" (step N11). Then, the CPU 14
copies the mask data "2.sup.n -1" from the binary key object area
to a position of offset OF in the binary display work area "1"
(step N12). This copying is carried out with the condition that,
for pixels in the binary key object area having mask data other
than "0" (i.e. having mask data "2.sup.n -1"), the mask data are
copied to corresponding pixel positions in the binary display work
area "1" only if the priority data of these pixels are P or
less.
FIG. 27 schematically shows the data conditionally copied to the
binary display work area "1" where the continuous tone key object G
has priority "3". In the example shown in FIG. 27, the mask of key
object G lies between objects C and D and its portion (the 2.sup.n
-1 data region) is blank since, as described hereinbefore, the
transparent bit is set to address "2.sup.n -1" in the binary data
lookup table 16A. The regions of objects C and E in the binary
display work area "1" are transparent as is the region of the key
object G since objects C and E are continuous tone images as noted
hereinbefore.
At the next step N13, the CPU 14 copies the continuous tone key
object data (FIG. 25) from the continuous tone key object area to a
position of offset OF in the continuous tone display work area "1".
This copying is carried out with the condition that, for pixels in
the continuous tone key object data to which the MSB is set, the
continuous tone key object data are copied to corresponding pixel
positions in the continuous tone display work area "1" only if the
MSB is not set to these pixels.
FIG. 28 schematically shows data conditionally copied to the
continuous tone display work area "1" when the key object G has
priority "3". It will be seen from a comparison between FIG. 28 and
FIG. 27 that the shape of the continuous tone data of key object G
in the continuous tone display work area "1" coincides with the
transparent shape of the mask data of key object G in the binary
display work area "1".
After copying the ground data and key object data from the binary
display work area "1" and continuous tone display work area "1",
respectively, the CPU 14 sets raster scan starting addresses to the
binary and continuous tone display work areas "1" and synchronously
reads the data from the two display work areas "1" (step 14).
The priority data of the binary images read from the binary display
work area "1" are converted by the binary data lookup table 16A
into predetermined R, G, B values to be displayed on the CRT 17
through the multiplexer 20. The priority mask data of the
continuous tone image objects and the mask data of the continuous
tone key object read from the binary display work area "1" are
converted by the binary data lookup table 16A into the transparent
signals to be applied to the multiplexer 20.
Upon receipt of the transparent signals, the multiplexer 20 selects
the R, G, B values outputted from the continuous tone data lookup
table 16B, and outputs the selected values to the CRT 17. Some of
the continuous tone data outputted from the continuous tone display
work area "1" have the MSB set thereto, and others do not. As shown
in FIG. 18, the continuous tone data lookup table 16B outputs the
same R, G, B values if the bits other than the MSB are the same.
Consequently, the MSB imparts no influence on the tones of the
continuous tone images.
FIG. 29 shows an example of layout displayed on the CRT 17 at this
time. The continuous tone key object G is shown as inserted between
the continuous tone image object C having priority "3" and the
binary image object D having priority "4".
When the operator instructs movement of the key object G through
the coordinate input device 11 (step N15), the CPU 14 successively
processes the binary and continuous tone display work areas "2" as
at steps N11 through N14 to move and display the key object between
other objects (steps N17-N20).
The operator may give an instruction through the priority setter 12
to change the priority of the key object when the contents of the
binary and continuous tone display work areas "1" are displayed
(step N23). Then, the CPU 14 changes the priority of the key object
data (step N24), carries out the same operation as at step N10
(step N25), and executes step N17 and subsequent steps for carrying
out a series of operations on the binary and continuous tone
display work areas "2".
An instruction may be given to move the key object or change the
priority thereof when the contents of the binary and continuous
tone display work areas "2" are displayed. Then, the CPU 14
rewrites the data in the binary and continuous tone display work
areas "1". As in the first embodiment, flickering on the display
screen due to data rewriting may be avoided by alternately using
the binary/continuous tone display work areas "1" and "2" for data
rewriting.
When the key object has moved to a desired position, the operator
manipulates the menus on the screen through the coordinate input
device 11 to input a FIX instruction as in the first embodiment
(steps N29 and N30). The ground data are revised as a result (step
S31). The same processing takes place as in the first embodiment
when the FIX instruction is given in relation to a key object in
binary data. If the key object is in continuous tone data, the same
processing is executed for the mask data as for the binary data,
and a series of operations may be carried out to rewrite the
continuous tone ground data all over again, or the continuous tone
ground data may be renewed by unconditionally copying the data
present in the continuous tone display work areas at the time the
FIX instruction is given, to the continuous tone ground area.
After revision of the ground data, an operation is carried out to
update the lookup table 16A (step N32). This operation is the same
as in the first embodiment, and will not be described again.
When all the objects have been arranged, the operator ends the
series of layout processing by manipulating the menus on the screen
through the coordinate input device 11 (step N33). On the other
hand, when different objects are fetched from the external storage
13 for arrangement, the operation returns to step N5 to repeat the
same processing. The priorities and offsets of the objects obtained
as above are stored in the simulation manager table 19 as in the
first embodiment.
The series of processes including unconditional and conditional
copying in the binary and continuous tone image memory planes 15A
and 15B and display work area switching are carried out at high
speed, which enables the key object to be moved and displayed
between other objects in real time in response to instructions to
move the key object and to change its priority, or allows
overlapping relations to be changed, as in the first
embodiment.
High-speed processing is possible also where the continuous tone
data are used, as in the first embodiment, by limiting regions for
unconditionally copying the ground data.
In this embodiment, the single CPU 14 carries out the copying
operations for the binary and continuous tone image memory planes
15A and 15B. However, conditional copying hardware using a DMA
controller, or a graphic controller having a conditional copying
function may be provided for each of the image memory planes 15A
and 15B to carry out unconditional and conditional copying
concurrently. This will further shorten the processing time.
Further, in this embodiment, ON/OFF of the MSB added to the
continuous tone ground data and continuous tone key object data is
used as a mask for determination purposes in the conditional
copying. Therefore, the logic of MSB set/clear may be the opposite
of what is employed in the embodiment.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof
and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims,
rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope
of the invention.
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